USAF TO DEPLOY STELTH FIGHTERS TO EUROPE

USAF to deploy stealth fighters to Europe.

The U.S. Air Force will deploy fifth-generation stealth fighters to Europe by the end of the summer to support the joint coalition on the continent, according to military.com.

"I would like to announce that we will be welcoming back U.S. fifth-generation assets into the European theater later this summer," Gen. Tod Wolters, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa, told reporters during a conference call Wednesday.


"These assets will work with U.S. and allied forces that are already in Europe, including partner-nation fifth-generation assets to build on the integration from previous deployments," he said. "The integration of fifth-generation assets allows the coalition to maintain the air superiority advantage by complementing the capabilities of our powerful fourth-generation fleet."

The General did not specify whether the deployment will include the F-22 Raptor or the F-35A Lightning II.

The USAF has deployed fifth gen fighters in Europe each year starting from 2015. In August 2015, four F-22s arrived in Europe for the first time as part of the European Reassurance Initiative, now renamed the European Deterrence Initiative. In April 2016, twelve F-22s from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, traveled across the continent, coming close to Russia's borders with a quick deployment to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania. In October 2017, Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, were deployed to RAF Lakenheath for training with other Europe-based US aircraft and NATO allies. And in May 2018, eight F-35A Lightning IIs from the 34th Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, completed the first F-35A training deployment to Europe.

Image: USAF